By Jeremy Croiset
Published: May 10, 2006
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Round three of the Socal regions NASA Honda Challenge series took place at the historic Willow Springs International Raceway on May 6th and 7th. It was a perfect racing weekend with sunny clear skies, and 80 degree temps.
As the sun came up over the Mojave Desert, it was clear we were all in store for some great weather, and exciting racing. Everyone arrived at the track early to setup and make sure everything was set for the morning practice session. The session went well, and everyone was able to familiarize themselves again with the “fastest road in the west”.
The qualifying session came and went, and when all was said and done, the grid was set for the race. Sam Higashi took pole in the 5 Zigen Civic for H1, followed by new comer Michael Lee and rookie Michael Garcia. In H4, we saw Edik Stepanyan take pole, followed by Jeremy Croiset and Ryan Flaherty.
As the cars came to grid, the usual pre race buzz filled the air. Who would get the jump on the start? Who would lead the cars into the first turn?
The cars headed to track, the excitement built and the cars rounded the final turn to take the green flag. The green flag dropped, and the cars screamed off down toward Turn 1. 
Higashi took off with the lead, followed by Stepanyan and Michael Lee. Lee was able to get by Edo to try and challenge Higashi for the lead in H1. Stepanyan had to worry about Jeremy Croiset who was close behind hounding him for the H4 lead. On lap 2, Lee had a mechanical failure which put him out of the race. Edik and Jeremy kept up the battle for the next 3 laps until Jeremy was able to get by. Edik started having transmission problems and after being passed decided the 2nd place points were more important than the win. Jeremy Croiset was able to snag his second win in H4 (overall HC win) for the season piloting his KW Suspensions sponsored 90 Honda CRX followed by Edik Stepanyan and Sam Rothchild (locked in a 4 way battle for 3rd). 
In H1, Higashi held first, while John Thawley started from the back of the HC pack and weaved his way toward the front to finish 2nd followed by rookie Michael Garcia taking the final podium position on his very first race!
Sunday was another glorious race day with sunny skies and warm air. Qualifying went well, and set the grid for the race.
Jeremy Croiset took pole overall for HC out qualifying the faster H1 cars, followed by Edik Stepanyan (who had pulled a long night with his crew and got the tranny changed) and Benoit Pecqueur setting the H4 grid. In H1, Higashi secured pole with Garcia and Thawley close behind.
The race start went well with Higashi pulling out in front followed by Jeremy and Edik following close behind.
Jeremy and Edik continued to run nose to tail for the next few laps until Edik has a slight off and collected a bush on the front of the car. That caused the temps to spike quickly and he had to slow down. 
Higashi was also having overheating problems, which allowed Thawley to close up and pass for the lead in H1. A last corner, last lap pass gave Higashi back the lead and the win in H1. Rookie Michael Garcia was again able to take the final podium spot in H1. 
For H4, Jeremy Croiset was able to grab his 3rd win of the season (2nd overall HC win) with Edik Stepanyan and Benoit Pecqueur making up the final podium positions.
This brings Jeremy Croiset and Edik Stepanyan to within 5 points of each other in the championship standings.
One thing is certain; the rest of this season’s Socal HC racing is going to be very exciting!
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